Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits his 210th hit of the season tying Craig Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits his 210th hit of the season tying Craig Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits his 210th hit of the season tying Craig Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits his 210th hit of the season tying Craig Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 3 of 33

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) runs to second base after hitting his 210th hit of the season (a double), tying Craig Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) runs to second base after hitting his 210th hit of the season (a double), tying Craig Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) runs to second base after hitting his 210th hit of the season (a double), tying Craig Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) runs to second base after hitting his 210th hit of the season (a double), tying Craig Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tips his helmet toward Craig Biggio from second base after hitting his 210th hit of the season (a double), tying Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tips his helmet toward Craig Biggio from second base after hitting his 210th hit of the season (a double), tying Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 7 of 33

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tips his helmet toward Craig Biggio from second base after hitting his 210th hit of the season (a double), tying Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tips his helmet toward Craig Biggio from second base after hitting his 210th hit of the season (a double), tying Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 8 of 33

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tips his helmet to fans from second base after hitting his 210th hit of the season (a double), tying Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tips his helmet to fans from second base after hitting his 210th hit of the season (a double), tying Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 9 of 33

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) runs after hitting a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) runs after hitting a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros fans cheer for second baseman Jose Altuve after he hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros fans cheer for second baseman Jose Altuve after he hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros Jose Altuve tips his helmet stands on first base as Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) watches after Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros Jose Altuve tips his helmet stands on first base as Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) watches after Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 14 of 33

Houston Astros Jose Altuve tips his helmet stands on first base as Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) watches after Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros Jose Altuve tips his helmet stands on first base as Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) watches after Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets a pat on the back from Robbie Grossman (19) and Gregorio Petit (3) after Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets a pat on the back from Robbie Grossman (19) and Gregorio Petit (3) after Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets a hug from Gregorio Petit (3) after Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets a hug from Gregorio Petit (3) after Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets a hug from Gregorio Petit (3) after Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets a hug from Gregorio Petit (3) after Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets high-rived by teammates in the dugout after coming in after the eighth inning. Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets high-rived by teammates in the dugout after coming in after the eighth inning. Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets hugged by George Springer in the dugout after coming in after the eighth inning. Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets hugged by George Springer in the dugout after coming in after the eighth inning. Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets hugged by George Springer in the dugout after coming in after the eighth inning. Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets hugged by George Springer in the dugout after coming in after the eighth inning. Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 23 of 33

Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets hugged by George Springer in the dugout after coming in after the eighth inning. Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets hugged by George Springer in the dugout after coming in after the eighth inning. Altuve hit a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) signs autographs in the dugout after his 211th hit this season, after the Astros loss during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) signs autographs in the dugout after his 211th hit this season, after the Astros loss during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) signs autographs in the dugout after his 211th hit this season, after the Astros loss during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) signs autographs in the dugout after his 211th hit this season, after the Astros loss during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 27 of 33

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) signs autographs in the dugout after his 211th hit this season, after the Astros loss during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) signs autographs in the dugout after his 211th hit this season, after the Astros loss during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) walks back to the clubhouse in the dugout after his 211th hit this season, after the Astros loss during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) walks back to the clubhouse in the dugout after his 211th hit this season, after the Astros loss during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 29 of 33

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits his 210th hit of the season tying Craig Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits his 210th hit of the season tying Craig Biggio's record during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a single for his 211th hit during the seventh inning to break Craig Biggio's season hit record during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, ... more

Lawless pulls Altuve after 3-for-3 effort with AL batting title in mind

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Already trailing by five heading into the seventh inning, Astros interim manager Tom Lawless approached Jose Altuve in the dugout to see if the All-Star second baseman would mind sitting out the rest of the game. Altuve didn’t protest, so he was lifted before he could bat in the seventh Friday night.

Altuve, who was used as the designated hitter for the first time this season to rest a bit after going 0-for-6 in the 13-inning loss to the Indians on Thursday night, was 3-for-3 when Lawless made his offer in part to help Altuve’s quest to win the American League batting title.

“He’s the manager,” Altuve said after the Mariners beat the Astros 10-5 in the first game of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. “You got to be OK with the manager’s decision. He knows what he’s doing. We’re going to come back tomorrow and try to win the game.”

Altuve is now hitting .343 to maintain his lead over the Tigers’ Victor Martinez, who went 2-for-4 against the Royals on Friday night to improve his batting average to .335.

“He’s got something special going, and to win the batting title is a very special thing,” Lawless said. “To try to protect that for him, I’m going to do everything I can.”

Altuve doubled to left in the first inning, drilled a pitch high and outside through the right side for a single in the third and then singled through the left side in the fifth.

“He knows he was 0 for 6 last night, and the guys were jabbing him a little bit,” Lawless said. “The second one almost looked like it was a pitch-out. But he’s so talented with that wand in his hand. It’s impressive. We’ve got eight more games for him to continue, and I’m going to try to help him out.”

Altuve improved his franchise record for hits in a season to 216, tying the record Magglio Ordonez set in 2007 for the most hits in a season by a Venezuelan player.

Altuve was adamant that he wasn’t too worried after going 0-for-6 Thursday.

“No I was good,” he said. “I was 0-for-6 last night and I knew I wasn’t going to go 0-for-6 again. I tried to go up there, swing the bat. I saw like three pitches, three or four. I was ready to swing.”

Altuve also didn’t mind serving as a DH Friday for the first time this season.

“If I’m going to get three hits every time I DH, I want to DH,” he said.